John Orlando steps down as Section 1 hockey chairman

I'm still working on this story and will have time to ask the decision makers some questions in the coming days, so the details are coming, but John Orlando has resigned as Section 1 hockey chairman. From what I've gathered so far, there was a lot of back and forth after the WRPDIIHL was informed on May 12 that BOCES would take over league operations, but no compromises were reached.

The change eliminates a number of positions within the organization. Jim Tozzo is done as league scheduler. Stephan and George Valis are done as minor officials assigners in Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess. Mike Schoenbach is done as minor officials assigner in Rockland.

He also ran the popular Section1Hockey.com website, and has decided to give up that labor of love.

I'm not jumping in on this until I have some answers from everyone involved, but I will say that no other interscholastic sport in Section 1 runs as smoothly as ice hockey. We do need to properly thank John for what he's done for the sport in this area. Whether you've always agreed with his methods or not, thousands of kids have benefited from his diligence.

Let me say this right now, somebody needs to make damn sure there's a silver cup with his name engraved on it being lifted by the Division 1 champion next year wherever the heck they decide to play the Section 1 championship games. It should be passed on year to year and show up in every celebration photo.

It's the least anyone could do.

Also, take a moment to publicly thank Mike Schoenbach for the countless hours devoted to the Section1Hockey website. It's been an invaluable resource, for me especially.